Uncalibrated thermocouple system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, including a multiplexer, having a first output and multiple first inputs receiving analog input signals and an analog feedback signal and cycling through and selecting the signals for transfer in sequential signal groupings to the first output. The apparatus also includes an amplification circuit, having a second output and a second input connected to the multiplexer first output, that amplifies signals corresponding to the analog input signals with a selected gain so as to generate respective amplified analog signals at the second output. Circuitry selects a characteristic of the respective amplified analog signals from an initial signal grouping, feeds the characteristic back for input to the multiplexer as the analog feedback signal, selects a subsequent characteristic of the respective amplified analog signals from a subsequent signal grouping, and adjusts the amplification circuit gain so that the analog feedback signal and the subsequent characteristic have the same amplitude.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/091,860 filed Apr. 6, 2016, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to circuitry, and specificallyto circuitry for handling thermocouple signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thermocouple signals are typically in the millivolt or even microvoltrange, and thermocouples inherently usually have a relatively highimpedance. Both factors, the low signal levels and the high sourceimpedance, lead to signals from the thermocouples being very susceptibleto noise. In addition, particularly in a medical scenario such as anablation procedure, where thermocouples may be used for criticalmeasurements on patients, it is important that noise from thermocouplesis reduced and that the signals derived from the thermocouples give truetemperature readings. Methods for compensating or reducing noise levelsfrom thermocouples, and for ensuring that the signals are valid, areknown in the art.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,742, to Blewett, et al., whosedisclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a temperaturemeasuring circuit which is coupled to the prostate and urethralthermocouples. The disclosure also describes a controller which operatesfrom AC line voltage that is filtered to reduce noise.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,644,523, to Clemow, whose disclosure is incorporatedherein by reference, describes a digital circuit arrangement for anambient noise-reduction system. The arrangement converts analog signalsinto N-bit digital signals at a sample rate and then subjects theconverted signals to digital filtering.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,226,791, to McCarthy et al., whose disclosure isincorporated herein by reference, describes an interface module whichmay include an input/output (I/O) port that receives digitalthermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip. The digitalsignals are provided by an analog-to-digital converter.

Documents incorporated by reference in the present patent applicationare to be considered an integral part of the application except that, tothe extent that any terms are defined in these incorporated documents ina manner that conflicts with definitions made explicitly or implicitlyin the present specification, only the definitions in the presentspecification should be considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides apparatus, including:

a multiplexer, having a first output and multiple first inputsconfigured to receive a plurality of analog input signals and an analogfeedback signal and configured to cycle through and select the signalsin alternation for transfer in sequential signal groupings to the firstoutput;

an amplification circuit having a second output and a second inputconnected to the first output of the multiplexer and configured toamplify signals in the signal groupings corresponding to the pluralityof analog input signals with a selected gain so as to generaterespective amplified analog signals at the second output; and

a processor, having a third input connected to the second output of theamplification circuit, and having a third output coupled to one of thefirst inputs of the multiplexer, and including control circuitryconfigured to select a predetermined characteristic of the respectiveamplified analog signals from an initial signal grouping, to feed thepredetermined characteristic back via the third output for input to themultiplexer as the analog feedback signal, to select a subsequentpredetermined characteristic of the respective amplified analog signalsfrom a subsequent signal grouping, and to adjust the gain of theamplification circuit so that the analog feedback signal and thesubsequent predetermined characteristic have the same amplitude.

In an embodiment the amplification circuit has an overall gain of unity.

In an alternative embodiment the amplification circuit consists of anamplifier having a gain greater than unity and coupled to receive andamplify the sequential signal groupings. The amplification circuit mayinclude an analog-to-digital converter coupled to receive and digitizethe amplified sequential signal groupings. The control circuitry may beconfigured to select the predetermined characteristic of the respectiveamplified analog signals by analysis of the digitized amplifiedsequential signal groupings.

In a further alternative embodiment the amplification circuit includesan amplifier having a gain less than unity and coupled to receive theamplified signals in the signal groupings corresponding to the pluralityof analog input signals.

In a yet further alternative embodiment the apparatus includes acatheter having a plurality of thermocouples respectively generating theplurality of analog input signals.

In a disclosed embodiment the predetermined characteristic consists ofone of a maximum, a mean, and a minimum of the respective amplifiedanalog signals.

There is further provided a method, including:

configuring a multiplexer, having a first output and multiple firstinputs to receive a plurality of analog input signals and an analogfeedback signal and to cycle through and select the signals inalternation for transfer in sequential signal groupings to the firstoutput;

configuring an amplification circuit having a second output and a secondinput connected to the first output of the multiplexer to amplifysignals in the signal groupings corresponding to the plurality of analoginput signals with a selected gain so as to generate respectiveamplified analog signals at the second output;

selecting a predetermined characteristic of the respective amplifiedanalog signals from an initial signal grouping;

feeding the predetermined characteristic back for input to themultiplexer as the analog feedback signal;

selecting a subsequent predetermined characteristic of the respectiveamplified analog signals from a subsequent signal grouping; and

adjusting the gain of the amplification circuit so that the analogfeedback signal and the subsequent predetermined characteristic have thesame amplitude.

The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with thedrawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an invasive medical procedure,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C schematically illustrate a distal end of a probe,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an auto-gain circuit used forreceiving signals from thermocouples, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of actions performed by the circuit of FIG. 3,according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an auto-gain circuit used forreceiving signals from thermocouples, according to an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Overview

Typically, signals from thermocouples may be inaccurate and/or unstable,because of, for example, noise induced in the signal lines andtemperature variations along the lines. In the case of groups ofthermocouples which may be in close physical proximity and which aretypically at similar temperatures, the inaccuracy and/or instabilityleads to mismatching between the signals and consequent misleadingtemperature readings.

Embodiments of the present invention overcome these problems byprocessing all the signals, typically from a group of thermocouples,through the same circuit, so ensuring that all output signals arematched.

The circuit comprises a multiplexer which receives a plurality of analoginput signals and an analog feedback signal, and which transfers thesignals in a signal grouping to an amplification circuit. Theamplification circuit amplifies signals in the signal groupingcorresponding to the plurality of analog input signals with a selectedgain so as to generate respective amplified analog signals.

A processor is connected to receive the amplified analog signals. Inaddition the processor comprises control circuitry which is configuredto select a maximum of the amplified analog signals from an initialsignal grouping and to feed the maximum back to the multiplexer as theanalog feedback signal. The control circuitry is further configured toselect a maximum of the amplified analog signals from a subsequentsignal grouping, and to adjust the gain of the amplification circuit sothat the analog feedback signal and the subsequent maximum have the sameamplitude.

System Description

In the following description, like elements in the drawings areidentified by like numerals, and the like elements are differentiated asnecessary by appending a letter to the identifying numeral.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an invasive medical procedureusing apparatus 12, according to an embodiment of the present invention.The procedure is performed by a medical professional 14, and, by way ofexample, the procedure in the description hereinbelow is assumed tocomprise ablation of a portion of a myocardium 16 of the heart of ahuman patient 18. However, it will be understood that embodiments of thepresent invention are not just applicable to this specific procedure,and may include substantially any procedure on biological tissue or onnon-biological material.

In order to perform the ablation, professional 14 inserts a probe 20into a lumen of the patient, using a probe handle 21, so that a distalend 22 of the probe enters the heart of the patient. Distal end 22comprises electrodes 24 mounted on the outside of the distal end, theelectrodes contacting respective locations of the myocardium. Probe 20has a proximal end 28. Distal end 22 of the probe is described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.

Apparatus 12 is controlled by a system processor 46, which is located inan operating console 48 of the apparatus. Console 48 comprises controls49 which are used by professional 14 to communicate with the processor.During the procedure, processor 46 typically tracks a location and anorientation of distal end 22 of the probe, using any method known in theart. For example, processor 46 may use a magnetic tracking method,wherein magnetic transmitters external to patient 18 generate signals incoils positioned in the distal end. The Carto® system produced byBiosense Webster, of Diamond Bar, Calif., uses such a tracking method.

The software for processor 46 may be downloaded to the processor inelectronic form, over a network, for example. Alternatively oradditionally, the software may be provided on non-transitory tangiblemedia, such as optical, magnetic, or electronic storage media. The trackof distal end 22 is typically displayed on a three-dimensionalrepresentation 60 of the heart of patient 18 on a screen 62.

In order to operate apparatus 12, processor 46 communicates with amemory 50, which has a number of modules used by the processor tooperate the apparatus. Thus, memory 50 comprises a temperature module 52and an ablation module 54, the functions of which are described below.Memory 50 typically comprises other modules, such as a force module formeasuring the force on end 22, a tracking module for operating thetracking method used by processor 46, and an irrigation module allowingthe processor to control irrigation provided for distal end 22. Forsimplicity, such other modules, which may comprise hardware as well assoftware elements, are not illustrated in FIG. 1.

Processor 46 typically uses results of measurements of temperatureacquired by module 52 to display on screen 62 a temperature distributionmap 64.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C schematically illustrate distal end 22 of probe 20,according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is asectional view along the length of the probe, FIG. 2B is across-sectional view along a cut IIB-IIB that is marked in FIG. 2A, andFIG. 2C is a perspective view of a section of the distal end. Aninsertion tube 70 extends along the length of the probe and is connectedat the termination of its distal end to a conductive cap electrode 24A,which is assumed herein to be used for ablation. FIG. 2C is a schematicperspective view of cap electrode 24A. Cap electrode 24A has anapproximately plane conducting surface 84 at its distal end and asubstantially circular edge 86 at its proximal end. Conductive capelectrode 24A is herein also termed the ablation electrode. Proximal toablation electrode 24A there are typically other electrodes such as anelectrode 24B. Typically, insertion tube 70 comprises a flexible,biocompatible polymer, while electrodes 24A, 24B comprise abiocompatible metal, such as gold or platinum, for example. Ablationelectrode 24A is typically perforated by an array of irrigationapertures 72.

An electrical conductor 74 conveys radio-frequency (RF) electricalenergy from ablation module 54 (FIG. 1), through insertion tube 70, toelectrode 24A, and thus energizes the electrode to ablate myocardialtissue with which the electrode is in contact. Module 54 controls thelevel of RF power dissipated via electrode 24A. During the ablationprocedure, cooling fluid flowing out through apertures 72 may irrigatethe tissue under treatment.

Temperature sensors 78, comprising thermocouples which are typicallycopper-constantan thermocouples, and also referred to herein asthermocouples 78, are mounted within conductive cap electrode 24A atlocations that are arrayed around the distal tip of the probe, bothaxially and circumferentially. In this example, cap 24A contains sixsensors, with one group of three sensors in a distal location, close tothe tip, and another group of three sensors in a slightly more proximallocation. This distribution is shown only by way of example, however,and greater or smaller numbers of sensors may be mounted in any suitablelocations within the cap. Thermocouples 78 are connected by leads (notshown in the diagram) running through the length of insertion tube 70 toprovide temperature signals to temperature module 52.

In a disclosed embodiment cap 24A comprises a side wall 73 that isrelatively thick, on the order of 0.5 mm thick, in order to provide thedesired thermal insulation between temperature sensors 78 and thecooling fluid inside a central cavity 75 of the tip. The cooling fluidexits cavity 75 through apertures 72. Sensors 78 are mounted on rods 77,which are fitted into longitudinal bores 79 in side wall 73. Rods 77 maycomprise a suitable plastic material, such as polyimide, and may be heldin place at their distal ends by a suitable cement 81, such as epoxy.U.S. Patent Publication 2014/0171821, which is incorporated herein byreference, describes a catheter having temperature sensors mounted in asimilar configuration to that described above. The arrangement describedabove provides an array of six sensors 78, but other arrangements, andother numbers of sensors, will be apparent to those having ordinaryskill in the art, and all such arrangements and numbers are includedwithin the scope of the present invention.

In the description herein, distal end 22 is assumed to define a set ofxyz orthogonal axes, where an axis 92 of the distal end corresponds tothe z axis of the set. For simplicity and by way of example, the y axisis assumed to be in the plane of the paper, the xy plane is hereinassumed to correspond to the plane defined by circle 86, and the originof the xyz axes is assumed to be the center of the circle.

Typically, distal end 22 contains other functional components, which areoutside the scope of the present disclosure and are therefore omittedfor the sake of simplicity. For example, the distal end of the probe maycontain steering wires, as well as sensors of other types, such as aposition sensor and a force sensor. Probes containing components ofthese kinds are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,437,832 andU.S. Patent Publication 2011/0130648, which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an auto-gain circuit 100 used forreceiving the signals from thermocouples 78, and FIG. 4 is a flowchartof actions performed by the circuit, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Typically, the signals from thermocouples 78 may be inaccurate and/orunstable, because of, for example, noise induced in the signal lines andtemperature variations along the lines. Even with these effectsoccurring, circuit 100 selects a predetermined characteristic of thesignals, and provides a feedback mechanism that ensures that a level ofthe characteristic is output accurately. Since the signals other thanthe characteristic are processed through the same circuitry as thecharacteristic, all output signals from the circuit are matched.

The predetermined characteristic of the signal may be any measurablecharacteristic of the signal, such as a maximum of the signal, a mean ofthe signal, or a minimum of the signal. For simplicity in the followingdescription of the flowchart of FIG. 4 and of circuit 100, thepredetermined characteristic is assumed to comprise the maximum of thesignal, and those having ordinary skill in the art will be able to adaptthe description, mutatis mutandis, for signal characteristics other thanthe maximum.

Circuit 100 is typically incorporated in temperature module 52 inconsole 48, although in some embodiments the circuit is incorporatedinto handle 21 of probe 20. In the following description, by way ofexample, elements of circuit 100 are assumed to be under overall controlof a dedicated processor 130, incorporated into the circuit, and theprocessor is also assumed to have control circuitry 132, which may beimplemented in hardware and/or software, to operate the circuit, so thatthe circuit is able to operate as a stand-alone unit. However, it willbe appreciated that the elements could be controlled and operated by anyprocessor, such as processor 46, and those having ordinary skill in theart will be able to adapt the description herein, without undueexperimentation, to accommodate such a case.

While in the following description circuit 100 is assumed, for clarity,to receive inputs from six thermocouples 78 it will be understood thatembodiments of the present invention may be implemented to receiveinputs from more or less than six thermocouples.

As shown in an initial step 150, a multiplexer 102 receives in parallelsignals from the six thermocouples 78 as six baseband analog potentialsignals. The multiplexer also receives a seventh baseband analogpotential signal, which is a feedback signal generated by components ofcircuit 100. Multiplexer 102 cycles through and selects each of its 7analog inputs in turn, and outputs the selected inputs serially as asignal grouping to a low-pass filter 104. In a disclosed embodiment,filter 104 has a cut-off frequency between 10 Hz and 50 Hz. The feedbacksignal is derived from a previous signal grouping that has passedthrough the circuit, and the production of the feedback signal isdescribed in more detail below.

In a filtering and amplifying step 152, after traversing filter 104, thegrouping of analog signals is input to an amplifier 106, which outputsits amplified signals to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 108.Amplifier 106 has a preset gain selected so that the output of theamplifier is within the dynamic range of A/D converter 108. Amplifier106 typically has a gain of approximately 100.

In a digitizing step 154 A/D converter 108 generates seven digitalsignals, corresponding to the seven analog signals it has received fromamplifier 106. The seven digital signals consist of six digital signalsderived from thermocouples 78, and one digital feedback signal.

In a first analysis step 156, circuitry 132 analyzes the six digitalsignals from the thermocouples, and finds which of the signals has amaximum value DIGITAL MAX TC. The processor also records the value ofthe digital feedback signal DIGITAL FB. The analysis and recordingoperation is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 by a dashed block 110.

In a conversion step 158, the digital signals from A/D converter 108,including the six digital signals corresponding to the thermocouplesignals, are converted back to analog signals in a digital-to-analog(D/A) converter 112, and the analog signals are input to an outputamplifier 114. Amplifier 114 has a variable gain, which may be set bycircuitry 132, and which is typically configured so that signalamplitudes output from the amplifier have similar values to those inputto amplifier 106. In other words, while amplifier 106 is typicallyconfigured so that its output signals are larger than its input signals,the converse is true for amplifier 114, wherein its output signals aresmaller than its input signals.

In a feedback generation step 160, circuitry 132 selects from the sixoutputs of amplifier 114 corresponding to the thermocouple signals theanalog output corresponding to the maximum analog signal, derived fromDIGITAL MAX TC, input to the amplifier. The selected analog output,herein termed ANALOG MAX TC, is fed back to multiplexer 102, as thefeedback signal input to the multiplexer. The selection and feeding backoperation is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 by a dashed block 116and a feedback line 118. The feedback signal input to the multiplexer isincorporated into a subsequent grouping of seven analog signals selectedby the multiplexer.

While performing step 160, the control circuitry, in a comparison step162, compares the values of DIGITAL MAX TC and DIGITAL FB as determinedin step 156. If the values are different, in a gain adjustment step 164the circuitry alters the gain of output amplifier 114 to reduce thedifference in the values. If DIGITAL MAX TC>DIGITAL FB the circuitryreduces the gain; if DIGITAL MAX TC<DIGITAL FB the circuitry increasesthe gain. Typically, steps 162 and 164 are performed iteratively. Thegain adjustment is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 by a gain line120.

If in comparison step 162 the values of DIGITAL MAX TC and DIGITAL FBare the same, then in a final step 166 the gain of the output amplifieris left unchanged, and the amplifier outputs its six analog signals.

In some embodiments elements of circuit 100 after multiplexer 102,comprising at least some of filter 104, amplifier 106, A/D 108, D/A 112,and amplifier 114, may be implemented as an amplification circuit 136.It will be understood that, because of the signal amplificationperformed by amplifier 106, and the signal “de-amplification” performedby amplifier 114, amplification circuit 136 has an overall gainapproximately equal to unity.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an auto-gain circuit 200 used forreceiving the signals from thermocouples 78, according to an embodimentof the present invention alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. Apart from the differences described below, the operation ofcircuit 200 is generally similar to that of circuit 100 (FIG. 3), andelements indicated by the same reference numerals in both circuits 100and 200 are generally similar in construction and in operation.

In circuit 200, in contrast to circuit 100, each thermocouple signal isinput to a filter and an amplifier, and the outputs of the amplifiersare input to multiplexer 102. Thus for the six thermocouple signalsassumed herein, there are six filters followed by six amplifiers. Inaddition, the feedback signal (illustrated by block 116 and feedbackline 118) is fed through a filter and an amplifier before the latter'soutput is provided to the multiplexer. Each of the filters is generallysimilar to filter 104, and each of the amplifiers is generally similarto amplifier 106. For simplicity, in circuit 200 only a filter 204Afollowed by an amplifier 206A, and a filter 204F followed by anamplifier 206F, corresponding to two of the six thermocouple inputs, areillustrated. As is also illustrated, a filter 204G, followed by anamplifier 206G, receives the feedback signal, and the amplifier outputis fed to multiplexer 102.

Circuit 200 operates generally as circuit 100, and generally as isdescribed above with respect to the flowchart of FIG. 4. Those havingordinary skill in the art will be able to adapt the description of theflowchart of FIG. 4, mutatis mutandis, to account for the differencesbetween the two circuits.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited byway of example, and that the present invention is not limited to whathas been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scopeof the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinationsof the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations andmodifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the artupon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed inthe prior art.

1.-16. (canceled)
 17. An apparatus comprising: a catheter having adistal section with multiple thermocouples configured to generate firstmultiple input signals, respectively; a temperature module; a circuitcomprising; a multiplexer configured to receive in parallel the firstmultiple input signals and a first feedback signal, and to cycle throughand output serially the first multiple input signals and the firstfeedback signal; an output amplifier with a variable; a controlcircuitry having a processor configured to: select a first selectedinput signal from the first multiple input signals based on apredetermined characteristic; perform a comparison of the first selectedinput signal and the first feedback signal; adjust the variable gain ofthe output amplifier in response to the comparison; send the firstselected input signal through the adjusted output amplifier and back tothe multiplexer as a second feedback signal; and send the first multipleinput signals through the adjusted output amplifier to the temperaturemodule.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circuit furthercomprises: a filter configured to receive the first multiple inputsignals and the first feedback signal from the multiplexer; and an inputamplifier to receive the first multiple input signals and the firstfeedback signal from the filter.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe input amplifier has a preset gain.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,wherein the preset gain of the input amplifier amplifies, and thevariable gain of the output amplifier deamplifies.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 20, wherein an overall gain between the input amplifier and theoutput amplifier is approximately equal to unity.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein the circuit further comprises an analog-to-digitalconverter that is configured to receive the first multiple input signalsand the first feedback signal from the input amplifier, and the controlcircuitry is configured to receive the first multiple input signals andthe first feedback signal from the analog-to-digital converter.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 22, wherein the circuit further comprises adigital-to-analog converter that is configured to receive the firstselected input signal from the control circuitry, and the outputamplifier is configured to receive the first selected input signal fromthe digital-to-analog converter.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, whereinthe circuit further comprises a digital-to-analog converter that isconfigured to receive the first multiple input signals from the controlcircuitry, and the output amplifier is configured to receive the firstmultiple input signals from the digital-to-analog converter.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the predetermined characteristic includesone of the group consisting of a maximum amplitude, a minimum amplitudeand a mean amplitude.
 26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controlcircuitry is configured to record the predetermined characteristic ofthe first feedback signal.
 27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: thethermocouples are configured to generate second multiple input signalssubsequent to the first multiple input signals; the multiplexer isconfigured to receive in parallel the second multiple input signals andthe second feedback signal, and to cycle through and output serially thesecond multiple input signals and the second feedback signal; and theprocessor is configured to: select a second selected input signal fromthe second multiple input signals based on the predeterminedcharacteristic; perform a second comparison of the second selected inputsignal and the second feedback signal; adjust the variable gain of theoutput amplifier depending on the comparison; send the second selectedsignal through the adjusted output amplifier and back to the multiplexeras a third feedback signal; and send the second multiple input signalsthrough the adjusted output amplifier to the temperature module.
 28. Amethod, comprising: positioning a distal section having multiplethermocouples in contact with patient tissue to generate first multipleinput signals, respectively; configuring a multiplexer to receive inparallel the first multiple input signals and a first feedback signal,and to cycle through and output the first multiple input signals and thefirst feedback signal; configuring an output amplifier with a variable;and configuring a control circuitry having a processor to: select afirst selected input signal from the first multiple input signals basedon a predetermined characteristic; perform a comparison of the firstselected input signal and the first feedback signal; adjust the variablegain of the output amplifier in response to the comparison; send thefirst selected signal through the adjusted output amplifier and back tothe multiplexer as a second feedback signal; and send the first multipleinput signals through the adjusted output amplifier to the temperaturemodule.
 29. The method of claim 27, further comprising: configuring afilter to receive the first multiple input signals and the firstfeedback signal from the multiplexer; and configuring an input amplifierto receive the first multiple input signals and the first feedbacksignal from the filter.
 30. The method of claim 29, further comprisingconfiguring the input amplifier with a preset gain.
 31. The method ofclaim 29, further comprising: configuring the input amplifier toamplify; and configuring the output amplifier to deamplify.
 32. Themethod of claim 29, further comprising configuring the input amplifierand the output amplifier wherein an overall gain is approximately equalto unity.
 33. The method of claim 29, further comprising: configuring ananalog-to-digital converter to receive the first multiple input signalsand the first feedback signal from the input amplifier, and configuringthe control circuitry to receive the first multiple input signals andthe first feedback signal from the analog-to-digital converter.
 34. Themethod of claim 33, further comprising: configuring a digital-to-analogconverter to receive the first multiple input signals from the controlcircuitry; and configuring the output amplifier to receive the firstmultiple input signals from the digital-to-analog converter.
 35. Themethod of claim 28, wherein the predetermined characteristic includesone of the group consisting of a maximum amplitude, a minimum amplitudeand a mean amplitude.
 36. The method of claim 28, further comprising:configuring the thermocouples to generate second multiple input signalssubsequent to the first multiple input signals; configuring themultiplexer to receive in parallel the second multiple input signals andthe second feedback signal, and to cycle through and output serially thesecond multiple input signals and the second feedback signal; andconfiguring the processor to: select a second selected input signal fromthe second multiple input signals based on the predeterminedcharacteristic; perform a second comparison of the second selected inputsignal and the second feedback signal; adjust the variable gain of theoutput amplifier depending on the second comparison; send the secondselected input signal through the adjusted output amplifier and back tothe multiplexer as a third feedback signal; and send the second multipleinput signals through the adjusted output amplifier to the temperaturemodule.